UMINGAN—If Villasis has its Talong Festival and Dagupan is known for its Bangus Festival, this agricultural town celebrated this month its Kalabasa Festival to promote the local farmers’ produce and to boost the economy.

Mayor Michael Cruz said farmers had a good harvest again this year and were thankful that there was no pest infestation in their farms.

“Our squash is different because it is sticky and sweet so when we tasted it, we agreed to push it through a festival,” Cruz said.

They celebrated the Kalabasa Festival middle of April highlighted by streetdancing and a feature on “101 Ways to Cook Kalabasa”.

Cruz said there are 20 barangays producing three varieties of squash: supreme, native and soledad.

“It’s delicious and we all know that squash is good for the eyes,” he said.

Women groups produce products made of squash like noodles.

Meanwhile, Abono partylist Rep. Conrado Estrella III who was among the guests during the festival, said gone are days when kalabasa given as an award with negative connotation.

“Now you have your Kalabasa Festival and the people are so happy,” he said.

Estrella was joined by Senator Cynthia Villar and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos during the Kalabasa Festival program. (Eva Visperas)

 

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